Wear Resistance

Taber Test Machine

One scientific way to accurately measure the effectiveness of our product, is to test the durability of our lacquer via the test method (ASTM D4060). A sample of flooring is placed on a small rotating turntable, called the Taber test machine. This machine also contains a piece of sandpaper touching the surface of the sample. The abrasion resistance and durability of the coating is measured by counting the number of rotations until the coating is worn through. This wear through is confirmed by the application of a red dye to show that the lacquer is removed and that the wood is now porous. 50 rotations of the turntable represent approximately 12 months of wear in a normal residential application.

As clearly illustrated below, the two samples in the top row represent Quick-Step Palazzo range. The three samples on the bottom row represent competitor samples. As further illustrated, the three competitor products only obtained between 50-100 rotations before the lacquer was completed eroded and the bare timber is exposed. This means that after only 12 months – 2 years of normal wear, the floor will need to be completely re-sanded and re-lacquered. If one looks at the Quick-Step product results (refer: PAL 1345 and PAL 1344) our product achieves a minimum of 600 rotations. Therefore, against the tested products, our lacquer is up to 20 times more durable. These results have implications for developers, builders, specifiers and end users alike. Particularly in multi residential and single dwelling construction, interested parties need to be reassured their floor surface layer is durable. By specifying and installing Premium Floors engineered timber flooring, one can be assured of this.